QUARTERBACKS
OSU -If Braxton Miller was injured, or recovering last week against Penn State, he hid it pretty well. Miller combined for 277 yards and three touchdowns on the day. He's in talks for the Heisman, which will be interesting due to the fact that Ohio State is not bowl eligible this year. Bowl or no bowl, no one can deny the year that Miller is having for the Buckeyes.
ILL. - Under center for Illinois is Nathan Scheelhaase. This season, he's passed for 839 yards on 84 of 137 passing. He's thrown four touchdowns and five interceptions. He currently ranks 10th in the Big Ten in passing yards. He's also not a threat on the ground, but has punched in three touchdowns this season. This is a very lopsided battle.
EDGE - OSU
RUNNING BACKS
OSU - With Miller having a great day last week with his legs, Carlos Hyde wasn't called upon as much, but still put up 55 yards and a touchdown for the Buckeyes. The Miller-Hyde one-two punch has been a great thing for the Buckeyes this season, and could put up big numbers on Saturday as Illinois is allowing 152.6 yards on the ground per game.
ILL. - Donovonn Young is the leading rusher for the Illini, gaining 400 yards in eight games and two touchdowns. Behind him is Josh Ferguson with 226 yards.
EDGE - OSU
RECEIVERS
OSU -It was Jake Stoneburner's turn last week to have the big game for the Buckeyes, as he had a 72-yard touchdown, which sealed the game. The receiving corps probably has the most depth on the team, as any of the receivers can be used at any time, and make big plays.
ILL. -Ryan Lankford leads the Illini with 413 yards receiving and five touchdowns. His long reception of the year was a 64-yarder. He averages 51.6 yards per game. While OSU is putting up higher yardage numbers, the Illini are completing more passes to their receivers.
EDGE - OSU
OFFENSIVE LINE
OSU -The line gave up four sacks last week, but allowed the running game to gain 263 yards against a tough Penn State defense. Illinois has only sacked opposing quarterbacks 12 times this year, so the line should have an easy day, but also needs to make sure not to give up the random sack.
ILL. -Scheelhaase and backup Reilly O'Toole have been sacked 30 times this year. That's a lot. Also, the line is only allowing the rushing game to produce 132 yards per game. John Simon could have a field day Saturday.,
EDGE - OSU
DEFENSIVE LINE
OSU -OSU gave up 32 yards rushing to Penn State. No matter who you play, that's a good day. Nathan Williams had statistically the best day for the line with six tackles, one for loss and one sack. Johnathan Hankins added five tackles.
ILL. - This is where I can see the game getting out of hand, in favor of the Buckeyes. Illinois is giving up 152.6 yards per game on the ground. Ohio State averages 247.9 on the ground. Nose tackle Akeem Spence leads the line with 37 tackles.
EDGE - OSU
LINEBACKERS
OSU -Fullback turned linebacker Zach Boren was second on the team last week in tackles, recording seven. Like most weeks, Ryan Shazier led the team with eight tackles, two sacks and an interception for a touchdown. Shazier has been the saving grace for Ohio State this season, and is to the defense what Miller has been to the offense.
ILL. - Johnathan Brown is the weakside linebacker for the Illini, and leads the team with 55 tackles, 8.5 for loss, 2.5 sacks and 1 forced fumble. Right behind him are the other two linebackers, Mason Monheim and Ashante Williams with 52 tackles each.
EDGE - OSU
DEFENSIVE BACKS
OSU -Even the most die hard of Buckeye fans have to admit that the OSU secondary is bad. But the fact that OSU is 9-0 makes people forget that the Buckeyes are last in the Big Ten in pass defense, allowing 278 yards per game. However, the Illini don't light it up in the passing game, so the Buckeyes should be safe, but obviously can't take the week off.
ILL. - Illinois is giving up less yards per game (213) but giving up more than OSU in yards per play. The Illini give up 8.2 yards per passing play, OSU 6.7. Also, Illinois has intercepted the ball six times, where Ohio State has picked off 12 balls.
EDGE - Even
SPECIALISTS
OSU -A big mistake for OSU last week was the blocked punt Penn State had for their first score of the day. That's the second straight week there has been a glaring mistake on the special teams. Hopefully, the Buckeyes can get that cleaned up.
ILL. - Taylor Zalewski is 3 of 6 on field goal attempts this year. His long is 47 yards. Justin DuVernois' punting has been solid for Illinois, as he's averaging 42.4 yards per punt, put 12 inside the 20 and had nine punts go for 50-plus yards. The return game has shown no reason for worry.
EDGE - OSU
PREDICTION
Games that the Buckeyes should blow teams out, they keep close, and games that should be tight become blowouts. This is a game I foresee being a big win for OSU, so it means it will probably be tight. However, I'll go with what the score should be.
OSU 42-10
Twitter: @DanaSulonenTrib
